Bar for stringed instruments



R P. ENGLES BAR FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Filed [Ta/q 9/65 M Dec 13 Patented Dec. 13, 1949 UNITED STATES" PATENT OFF ICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to bars for stringed instruments, and more particularly to a bar for use in connection with instruments known as Hawaiian guitars usually played with the use of picks on the fingers of one hand and a bar or steel for the accompaniment.

Bars or steels heretofore in use comprise devices for fitting over the fingers of the hand of the user or in some instances, are fastened to a rod extending longitudinally of the guitar parallel with th strings thereof. Such devices using rings to secure the bar to the fingers of the player are extremely uncomfortable and cannot be used for long periods of time, and cannot be gripped to prevent slippage.

It is, therefore, the principal objects of the present invention to provide a bar for a guitar or like instrument having an open handle which may be easily gripped by the user; to provide a device having a more positive grip and giving a better tone in playing; to provide a device having rounded ends to facilitate transverse movement of the bar across the strings of the guitar; and to provide a bar easily operable and to facilitate slanting of the bar with respect to the strings.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of using my improved bar.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the bar.

Fig. 3 is an end view thereof.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the bar.-

Fig. 5 is a transverse cross section through the bar shown in Fig. 4.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

l indicates more in detail the neck of a guitar or the like having frets 2 and strings 3.

4 designates a bar embodying the features of my invention which is adapted to move over the strings 3 of the neck of the guitar as is the usual practice. The bar comprises a substantially cylindrical body 5 preferably made from metal or other suitable material and of slightly greater length than the width of the neck I of the guitar. The bar is so constructed so that it may engage all the strings of the guitar when the bar is transversely of the guitar, or when the bar is moved at an angle with respect to the length of the rows of strings to produce the necessary oblique position of the bar on the instrument while the instrument is being played. The ends 5 and 1 of the bar are rounded as illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 to facilitate transverse movement of the bar across the strings by increasing the ease of oscillating the bar and also to facilitate slanting of the bar with respect to the strings. It will thus be obvious with a device of this character either end may be placed to the palm of the hand; in other words, the bar is reversible with respect to the hand, thus producing a simple device which has longer lasting qualities than devices where only one position may be used.

8 designates a handle integrally attached to the body 5 by arms 9 and I0 forming an open finger or handhole ll.

With a bar constructed as above described the player may grasp the upper part of the bar by the handle and shift the same for usual playing engagement with one or more of the strings, the bar being grasped so that the forefinger rests substantially on top of the handle, the thumb resting against the bar 4 and in the opening between the bar 4 and the handle 8 while the large finger rests over one end of the handle part of the bar and the side of the finger engages alongside the outer end of the body 5 as best illustrated in Fig. 1 so that the bar is moved along the strings in the usual manner while playing the instrument and so that the bar may be in playing engagement with any one or more of the strings. By lifting of the hand the bar will be tilted to bring it in angular position for so-called tipping of the strings or it may be moved transversely of the strings and bodily downward for simultaneously engaging all the strings as in barring.

It will be obvious from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent. It will further be obvious that I have provided an improved bar for a Hawaiian guitar which may be used for long periods of time without tiring the hand and which may engage the strings of the guitar without danger of catching the strings, and a device which is simple, economical and efiicient in operation.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A bar for use in playing stringed musical instruments comprising, a solid elongated metal body having a cylindrical portion terminating in rounded ends of substantially spherical contour, ends being substantially the same radius as the cylindrical portion, and an elongated cylindrical member longitudinally of and smaller in diameter than the body portion and spaced therefrom to form a handle, said cylindrical member terminating at its ends in legs curved REFERENCES CITED toward the body and connected thereto adjacent the ends of the cylindrical portion thereof, said z f fifig gg gfi are of record in the legs being integral with the cylindrical member and body, said handle being adapted to be grasped 5 U ED S ATES PATENTS in the hand of the player for movement of the Number Name Date body over the strings and tilting of either end 1 342 718 Neft June a 1920 of said body to engage a rounded end with a 1601429 Carenter Sept, 1926 smgle strmg' 10 2,073,331 Allen Mar. 9, 1937 RAY P. ENGLES I 2,1 4,733 Burgem DEC. 26, 1939 2,248,542 McDaniel et al July 8, 1941 

